Case Study 1 Alex runs a small domestic cleaning business. The business is getting busier again with new bookings and re

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Case Study 1
Alex runs a small domestic cleaning business. The business is
getting busier again with new bookings and regulars who paused
their service are now wanting to have their homes cleaned again.
Alex has been keeping up to date with the latest COVID-19 public
health advice but she is unsure about what this means for her work
health and safety duties.
Alex locates and reviews Safe Work Australia’s resource kit for
COVID-19, including the guidance for providing in house services.
She reviews the example scripts and it starts her thinking about
the ways she interacts with clients.
Alex has great regulars who she’s worked with for years, but she
is still worried that some people might be hesitant or forget to
tell her if they’re unwell before her cleaning teams arrive. Alex
decides to get on the front foot and put systems in place to keep
her workers and clients as safe as possible. Knowing lots of her
regulars are actually working from home, she asks all clients to
leave a key for the cleaning team so they can enter the home
without needing to interact with her workers (even if they’re
home). She also suggests owners consider going for a walk while
cleaning is underway and gets her workers to text the owners when
they’re on their way to the job.
She tells her workers that if they arrive at a home and they
believe people there may be unwell or are self-isolating, to not
enter the home and to call her straight away. She will then call
the client to discuss the situation before any work is done.
To smooth the way for the new arrangements, Alex updates her
social media pages, and takes time to discuss health and hygiene
protocols with her new clients over the phone when they make a
booking. She also sets arrangements out in an email to her existing
customer base. She includes headshots of her workers in the
material with a banner reading “Let’s keep each other safe” and
also takes the opportunity to pass on her bank details for direct
deposit so her workers don’t have to handle cash.
Read the above case study and answer to the following
questions:
Ø Identification of hazards and potential hazards
Given the case, this includes a biological risks, particularly
the risk of contracting COVID-19. Mental or "psychosocial"risks can
also be involved given the sudden shift in the practice of their
cleaning and the incorporation of "new normal" in their
routine.
Ø Risk assessment
Upon assessing the risks and Alex's measures to control them, it
could be inferred that control is sufficient and the risk is low.
This is because her tools, structure, and policies are in
compliance with law and standards; she has designed and organized
her work as safe and healthy; and she has provided ample
instructions to use the right and safe working practices.
Strategies for minimizing risk
All of the approaches that Alex has performed can all be
helpful. In addition, she can provide training to her workers
regarding proper donning and doffing of PPE and infection control
procedures based on the standards of the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and/or the World Health Organization.
Furthermore, work ethics should be continued to be upheld and
psychosocial and emotional counselling/ support (such as
referral to professionals and available services) can be offered to
those who may verbalize the need for it.
Ø Analysis of residual risk
Residual risk may include the risks that still may occur despite
having performed all necessary controls in the workplace. For
example, in the situation, a residual risk may include a
compromised immune system of a worker, which may result to the
acquisition of the COVID-19. This may go undetected to Alex and the
worker him/herself; until he/she contracts the disease. To be able
to analyze such risk, Alex and the workers should be
familiarized with the contributing factors of the disease
(including the personal and self-aspects such as getting enough
sleep, drinking vitamins, healthy and balanced diet, exercise, and
more) and assess this aspect as well. In doing so, they could be
more aware of the measures needed to perform independently (and at
home) to keep them constantly safe.
Another is regarding the self-assessment of subjective
thoughts/feelings that may arise in association with mental health
conditions (which may be triggered by stress brought about drastic
changes due to COVID-19). Despite available support and services,
there could still be tendencies for a worker to undergo such
ordeal. Factors, such as family history and the psycho-emotional
state of the workers should be assessed regularly for early
detection and prevention of progression.
Use the risk assement matrix and complete the template
below
Risk Assessment Template
Identify and list Hazards and potential
hazards
Risk assessment and risk rating
Strategies for minimising the risk
Analysis of residual risk
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